The Chatsworth solo piping competition is being held on Saturday and Sunday, 1 and 2 September 2012. The organisers, to stimulate interest and encourage competition, have changed the format and agreed a substantial increase in the prize fund including prizes for overall Open and B&C champions.

Open and B&C graded, Adult Amateur and Juvenile contests in Piobaireachd and 6/8 March are to take place on Saturday with 2/4 March, Strathspey & Reel and Hornpipe & Jig contests on Sunday. B&C graded competitors and Juveniles, time permitting, may also ‘play up’ in Open and Adult Amateur contests.

The adjudicators are Tom Speirs and Roddy Livingstone and, as the overall number of ‘solo piping performance slots’ available is fairly finite, it could be well worth your while to submit an early entry.

All England Pipe Band Championships, Chatsworth, Sunday, 2 September 2012

Depending on numbers, bands, playing in their own grades and playing up, will be able to enter as appropriate the March and March, Strathspey and Reel contests in Grade 4, March and March, Strathspey and Reel contests in Grade 3 and Medley contest in Grade 2. The total prize fund is £4,900,

Last year, seventeen bands competed at the Championships and the organisers hope that at least 20 bands will take part in 2012.